Found an SS, and it's the fast color

Paid for an hopefully picking up this weekend. It's rough, but solid. Seller thinks it has a rod knock, I kind of agree but don't agree at the same time. When it's cold the engine is silent, sounds like any other LT1. Once it warms up though you start to hear the faint knock/tick. It continues to run smooth and when you rev it the sound gets faster, but not louder. I'm confused, but it helped get the car for an ok price.Looking into it's history it's been off the road for a long time. The seller got it from the original owner but like me has too much crap to work on. He had mentioned he original owner parked it after buying a new Chrysler 300 when the knock appeared. I went through it's receipts (huge stack) and found the last receipt was in 2005 from a dealer to have the instrument panel replaced. I ran a carfax on it, last registration was in 2004, and finally I found a plate number on one of the receipts which is still registered to an 06 Chrysler 300c. So my best guess is that this thing has been sitting around since 2005/06. Its crusty underneath it but not terrible. Because of this and other receipts, I question if the mileage is accurate. The last receipt with miles on it is from late 2003 at 148k.

The seller already pulled the cover and checked for the plate and the bolts. The fact that it does it when warm only kind of rules that out too. It's not an exhaust leak, my 9C1 has that sound but when cold. I'm hoping it's just a lifter or something top end that can be fixed, otherwise I do have another LT1 shoved in my garage somewhere.Another thought that crossed my mind is maybe once the car goes into closed loop the computer is doing something to produce this sound (wishful thinking!)

I'll keep you updated on this thing, I'm in no way jumping ship, just throwing some passengers overboard

Car made it home on it's knocking engine. It's without a doubt a rod knock, still seems odd that it doesn't do it when cold. Ended up driving it through one of the worst thunderstorms I've ever driven in, good times!Shot of the used car lot that is my driveway this morning. I really gotta do something about this....

Pulled some oil out of it, and there is metal particles in there. Good thing I have an LT1 buried in my garage somewhere. I'd like to LS it, but it's gonna be a while before that's affordable.Mouse presence has been confirmed, while sitting in the car admiring it's awesomeness one ran across the floor and under the back seat. Time to break out the 9C1's old mouse trap collection

It's been a long time since I made an update on this car, and I have made some progress.I haven't even touched the motor yet, I've been de-mousing the interior. St this point, a shorter list would be where I didn't find mouse shit. I found that and nest material (insulation) in the A, B, and C pillars, the rails in the roof, the trunk lid, and the list goes on. There must have been a hell of a nest under the center console, everything is rusty there and the floor shift cable grommet has been chewed completely off.I opted to completely throw out the HVAC assembly, it was beyond nasty. I cleaned and replaced that with a cleaner one I had from a parts wagon I had years ago. The interior had to be completely gutted and scrubbed down with enzyme based cleaner to kill the smell. I tried to clean the carpet but ended up throwing it out.The more I tore into the car I found out someone had been this deep before, the insulation under the carpet was some store bought thin stuff, the headliner was duct taped together, and every bit of padding that could be thrown out was missing.Between swap meets and trips to the junkyard I replaced the headliner, carpet, rear deck carpet, most of the interior plastic and the dash. I had to clean the seats as SS seats are worth their weight in gold, but did manage to buy a used driver's cover to replace the torn one that also had a nest in the rear pocket.

At any rate, it smells 100x better and I can tolerate sitting in it. Now it JUST needs the engine replaced Pics of the progress:

Rements of a nest and mountain of shit under the passenger air bag

Look at that chewed up foam in the center

The last time I had a B-body this stripped it was headed off to the crusher

Nasty old HVAC box

Hard to see, but there's rust on the roof from a nest that was above the headliner

Finally had a chance to wash it today, cleans up pretty nice

95brmw

Posts : 1431Join date : 2009-11-10Age : 32Location : Connecticut

Subject: Re: Found an SS, and it's the fast color Tue May 26, 2015 10:58 pm

Time for a much overdue update.Finally pulled the car out of "storage" (the back yard) a few weeks ago and got right to tearing the knocking engine out. It's a damn shame this thing has a bad bearing, it's one of the best running LT1s I've ever owned and pulls real good.

The motor swapped in is an LT1 from a 94 RMW I bought years ago. I took it apart and replaced the rod, main and cam bearings as they looked well worn and threw new rings and gaskets in there. Being extremely cheap I cleaned all the parts at my work and did the "machine work" myself with some emery cloth and a drill powered hone. Everything came out nice and within factory specs For the valved I cleaned everything up once again at work and lapped the valves. Nothing fancy here, just a standard 150k LT1 that's bone stock. The only mods done are put a vette servo in the trans with the .500 boost valve and an S10 torque converter (stall is around 2k RPM instead of the stock 1200rpm). I would have liked to go with a 6.0L LS, but cash is tight, maybe down the road it will happen.

Had a week off between jobs so I got to pulling the drivetrain out. I also swapped out the rusty PS fender well and the rad support with some clean NJ parts sourced from the Englishtown swap meet a few weeks prior. I believe this thing had a battery leak which rusted out everything near by.

Finally got the car back together and much to my relief that motor started with no odd noises besides some clanking rockers. I had to readjust them with the engine running and all is good. This thing pulls hard and shifts great, really pleased with the turn out

Photo time:

Waking up from it's long winters nap:

worn bearings:

Cleaned parts:

My work bench is a bit of a dump:

Freshened up:

Helper cat slowing down progress:

Front end torn off:

Knocker coming out:

Gutted engine bay:

New motor in:

Ready to roll:

bladerunner

Posts : 212Join date : 2012-07-16Location : Maine

Subject: Re: Found an SS, and it's the fast color Wed May 27, 2015 7:18 am

Painting it BBB will add at least 20 HP. True story

8bud

Posts : 626Join date : 2009-01-23Age : 45Location : Salem, NH

Subject: Re: Found an SS, and it's the fast color Wed May 27, 2015 10:13 am

I would leave the cat where he is in case the mice wanna move back in. Great progress and the car is looking good.

MancheSSterJake

Posts : 79Join date : 2009-03-03Age : 40Location : Derry NH

Subject: Re: Found an SS, and it's the fast color Wed May 27, 2015 10:12 pm

I see you have a cursed tape deck. Nice job with the motor swap.

MASShole9C1

Posts : 4211Join date : 2009-12-16

Subject: Re: Found an SS, and it's the fast color Thu May 28, 2015 10:34 pm